STUDIO AIR DESIGN JOURNAL2013 SEMESTER 1

HILTON CHAU

AIR

Design Journal of Studio Air of Semester 1 2013 Student: Chau Hei Tong Hilton 383768Studio 12-13 Tutor: Tom & FinnABPL30048_2013_SM1 Architecture Design Studio Air

CONTENT

INTRODUCTIONPREVIOUS WORK

PART A: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST CASE OF INNOVATIONARCHITECTURE as a discourse

Bruder Klaus Field ChapelPhaeno Science Center

COMPUTATION in architectureMesse Basel New HallO-14

PARAMETRIC modellingInternational Terminal WaterlooAviva Stadium

ALGORITHMIC explorations

CONCLUSION

LEARNING outcomes

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7

8-9

14-15

26-27

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31

10-11

16-17

22-23

12-13

18-19

24-25

Hi guys, I am Hilton Chau. I am a third year student of The University of Melbourne, currently undertaking an Architec-ture Major in the Bachelor of Environments. I am an inter-national student from Hong Kong and I have been living in Melbourne for four years.

My interest to architecture is due to where I came from. Hong Kong is a metropolitan city where full of skyscrapers and contemporary architectures. However, within the con-temporary urnban context, a lot of traditional and charac-teristic architectures can be found around in the old district. By contrasting both old and modern building, you can see how digital designing tools change the way of designing buildings.

INTRODUCTION

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From sketches, digitisation and fabrication

MY PREVIOUS WORK

Two years before, I have done Virtual Environments during my first year architecture studies. During that course, I was asked to construct a paper lan-tern.

Firstly, I designed it with sketches and made sketch models. Then I used Rhino to digitise my model and used paneling tools to test different geometric pattern on the surface of the lantern.Lastly, I fabri-cated it with paper.

During the time of digitising, I fimilarized myself with Rhino, apart from that I also think digital tools actually help creating some interesting form and structure.

Loft diagram of the digital model

Box panels on the surface of the model

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“Nearly everything that encloses space on a scale sufficient for a human being to move in is a building; the term architecture ap-plies only to building designed with a view to aesthetic appeal”

By Nikolaus Pevsner

Architecture as discourse

According to Nikolaus Pevsner, an art historian and critic, building is simply an enclosed space where human being is able to move inside while architecture is building with consideration of aes-thetics. However, is that what architecture means? Richard William suggested that, architecture as art since it requires beholder to have the same view of other visual arts. In architecture as art, people are led to think architecture as an individual art work and expect them to be an unique expressions of creative mind which similar to paintings and sculp-tures.1

Moreover, he added that architecture will be in-complete by simply defined as art. Unlike poems, stories, music or literatures, architecture is restrict-ed. It is because architects can have innovative de-sign, but they are all restricted by elements such as the users, location, urban context, cost and above all the client.2 Architects are hired by the client to execute designs instead of create what they want. Poets, writers, and composers, they all have com-plete control of their work, they are able put their thought within words and music freely. However, architects do not have such a free will, I am not saying that they cannot embed their thoughts and ohilosophies in the building, but ten out of ten, the finally decision is fallen on the client’s hand. There-fore even we can see architecture as an enclosed skin of the structure or a composition of different materials, it is not a complete Art.

Apart from that the incomplete definition of ar-chitecture as art, architecture also defines as dis-course which also known as system of communica-tion. Systems of communications “generates their own components and structures within the ongo-ing flow of communications” according to Patrik Schumacher.3 Architecture is not only a piece of massive sculpture or a structure but it is an ongo-ing communication process. By means of commu-

nications, users, architect, clients, practices, media, local government and other related parties involve in the architecture field can communicate through architecture. It may not be a verbal communica-tion, but the users can get the ideas and concepts what the designers want to convey. The design is also harmonise with the urban context. This kind of interactive is what I think as the discourse of archi-tecture. Nowadays, people are still talking about or visit some historical monuments, why?. Is it because they are old? because they monumental? Maybe, but the most important is they are communicating with people over centuries. As a result, the key for a good architecture is to and to be communicated. That is how I define architecture as discourse.

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“To me, buildings can have a beautiful silence that I associate with attributes

such as composure, self-evidence, durability, presence, and integrity, and

with warmth and sensuousness as well; a building that is being itself, being a building, not representing anything,

just being.” by Peter Zumthor

Blacken cavity of the chapel

Architecture as discourse

Bruder Klaus Field ChapelArchitect: Peter ZumthorLocation: Mechernich, GermanyCompletion: 2007

People may think its a gaint block of stone standing freely in the middle of a farm in Germany, but it is actually an elegant chapel designed by Peter Zumthor , a swiss archi-tect.

They way the architect built this chapel is full of human-ity. To build the chapel, 112 three trunks were firstly formed a wigwam. Then form work was set around the trunks and local farmers and residents pour 50cm-thick concrete each time. In total of 24 layers, a solid concrete facade is formed.4

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However, the most mystericous part of the chapel is, the tree wigwam end up set on fire and leave the inte-rior a blacken cavity and charred wall. From the way of the construction, I can understand Zumthor’s minimalist concept. The use of local mate-rials such as timber and hand mixed concrete, firmly rooted the building in the landscape.5 The chapel acts as a discourses to the visitors, the black cavity of the interior forms a sanctified which bring the peace and calm to them.

View of the Chapel when approaching

Phaeno Science CenterArchitect: Zaha Hadid ArchitectsLocation: Wolfsburg, GermanyCompletion: 2005

Apart from the previous building by Peter Zumthor, the Phaeno Sci-ence Center is designed by the dig-ital designing master Zaha Haddid. The mysterious appearance of the science center drives curiosity and discovery of the visitor to a world of future. I would say simply by looking of the building structure, visitors will be attracted and also got excited to explore what happen inside.

The science center located close to many significant buildings of the city of Wolfsburg such as the rail-way station and Autostadt (tourist attraction built by Volkswagen). Therefore in order to allow visitors walk toward these attractions un-der a sheltered area, Zaha designed funnel-shaped columns to support the structure which meanwhile create spacious sheltered area for

people to walk pass.The big concrete columns and some glass windows on the top of the ground floor produced a mysterious atmosphere for visitors. These col-umns are not only worked as a struc-tural support but also have individual function such as book shop, speaker hall and exhibition hall.6

Zaha explained the idea of its layout is generated by particle explosion. Therefore we can see how Zaha inco-porates the different funtional com-ponents into the building structures which is rational.7 Besides, from the use of materials, lighting system, po-sitioning, all the design components of the building are designed for the users and visitors. Visitors are able to experience the feel of cyber and fu-ture when approaching thei building which again the building itself is con-veying message to people.

Top: Interior of the science centerBottom: Rendering

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External view of the science center

View at the bottom of the first floor

“the processing of information and inter-actions between elements which consti-tute a specific environment; it provides a framework for negotiating and influ-encing the interrelation of datasets of in-formation, with the capacity to generate complex order, form, and structure.” By Sean Ahlquist andAchim Menges

COMPUTATION IN ARCHITECTURE

Computer can be regarded as one of the most important invention of the last few decades. It is a superb analytical machine which can perform accurately according to the program without any arithmetical mistakes. Therefore, with the ability of have quick response and work accurately, comput-er is in a prominent role of in contemporary design process. At the same time, architects need precise data of the site condition, climate, functionality, building codes, cost and drawing inspirations etc in order to develop the design, as a result the de-sign process of architecture have certain impacts with the aid of computer. 8

First of all, before defining Computation, we have to understand what is computerisation. For exam-ple, architects use computer as a virtual drafting board to help himself editing his drawing. We call them computerisation instead of computation, so does scanning a 3D sketch model into computer in order to analysis the model. Computerisation is to make thing easier, quicker and more precise for architects and other parties involve in the design process.

On the other hand, Computation allows designers to extend their abilities to handle highly complex situations and also provide a way to explore new forms and structures.9 It can also be explained as computer process information through an under-stood model which can be express as an algorithm.

What is the impact of computation to architecture?

As mentioned before, computation can help gen-erate new ideas and forms. For instance, when ar-chitects write a program to solve a design problem, they may come up with something new through the process of modification in the software. This situation will end up produce a new form of struc-tures and forms which diverse the design industry.

Apart from that, computation allows architects can do experiments of the structures and materials in order to test their limit in a virtual environment. They can get the data from the computer and try build it in reality which again introduce new form of digitally- denerated form. Digitally- generated forms are the current trend of modern architecture, such models are consistent, continual and dynamic transformation are replacing the static and conven-tional design process, which explains the contempo-rary design of architecture is going into a dynamic form. Most of the dynamic design such as topology, NURBS and parametric are based on mathematical definition, so as to form a series of pattern and shape.

In my opinion, I do think computerisation set a great foundation for computation. With software such as AutoCad, which increase the efficient of design and documentation and at the same time imporve the communication between different par-ties in the design industry. Therefore later when the more advance digital design tools such as Rhino, Revit and alot other software come out, designer can use them while designing. During the design process, they will try explore new form and struc-ture in computer. But one important thing is that, Architects and designers have to always believe themselves as they have the creativity and imagi-nation. They should be restricted by computer and there should not be any boundary in design. Com-puter should always help you in design but not hin-der your design.

How does computation affect the design process? What are the ongo-ing and incoming changes within design and construction industries?

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COMPUTATION IN ARCHITECTURE

Messe Basel New HallArchitect: Herzog & de MeuronLocation: Basel, Switzerland

The Herzog & de Meuron is firm that driven by conceptual design. In order to accomodate their in-novative concept, they use computational tools to help achieving the goal. Kai Strehlke, Head of the Digital Technology Group at Herzog & de Meuron, claimed that they are not trying to do something with technology, but focus more on the design in-tent and architectural idea and concept. They are developing their own tools to find their conceptual forms.10

This project, Messe Basel New Hall is located in the exhibition square in Basel. The concept of the ex-hibition hall came from two overlaying boxes with slightly twisted to produce a hyperbolic surface. In order to stand out from the simple form, the archi-tects put lots of effort to generate an interesting skin of the building.

The architect used aluminum as a fabric, to produce a two portion of the project. Using the malleability of aluminum to from a visual interest of the build-ing. The digital technology group assembled the 2D CNC-milled components into a complex 3D structure. Therefore the facade strategy has both double curvature and variably size openings.11

What are the ongoing and incoming changes within de-sign and construction industries?

The current way of the architectural design is com-putation as mentioned before, and it will be an on-going trend in the architecture industry. Since the development of Computer programming will never stop, new digital design software will appear to help generate new form and structures, therefore people who are in the architecture and construc-tion field have to be prepared.12

In the coming future, architects may have to in-volve more into fabrication process and construc-tion process because of there are building com-ponents which can be export to the manufacturer straight from computer. Take the examples from Frank Gehry, the irregular-shjaped glass windows

of the Nationale Nederlanden are fully manufactured by digital-driven cutting machine while a metal fish sculpture in spain is Frank Gehry’s paperless project, which means the whole design process is fully digital from design to fabrication. However, how will computation affect the construction in-dustry?Due to the emergence of digital design program, the time of fabrication and construction can be reduced since de-signers can export their digital files direct to the manufac-turers and the outcome is usually very precise and accu-rately. Besides, 3D laser scanning is also increasingly used during design and construction to help importing a 3-di-mensional sketch model into computer so as to generate a digital model.

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Top: 3D pattern facade

Bottom: circular structure in the hall

simulation in computer in order to deter-mine how to position the openings of the shell. The sunscreen of the building made this building to be a sustainable building. It is because there is a “chimney effect” in the building where hot air rise and effec-tively cools the surface of the glass win-dows within the one metre gap between the concrete shell and the glass window.14

In construction, super liquid concrete and tons of steel reinforcement were required to maintain its rigidity and stability. To make those holes on the concrete shell, Computer Numerically Cut (CNC) poly-styrene were placed into the reinforce-ment matrix of the shell in specific posi-tion. In order to have the same shape of the foam, the architect worked with sub-concractors ro systematize the produc-tion of foam pills on site.15

O-14Architect: Reiser + UmemotoLocation: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The O-14 is a twenty-two story tall com-mercial building in the heart of Dubai’s Business Bay which turned itself inside out with its structural skin flipped to offer a new economy tectonics and space. The structural skin is actually a concrete shell which acts as an efficient structural exo-skeleton.

The idea of the exoskeleton is to bare pri-mary vertical and lateral structural load so as to allow a column free offic slabs to span between the building. By doing this, the office will be more flexible as the building minises the core of the building. 13

Apart from that, the shell does not only act as the primary structure but a sunscreen open to light, air, and views. Designing this sunscreen involves lots of caltuation such as wind speed, sun exposure, luminosity and other thing. Therefore regarding this, architects have to do research and some

Top right: typical floor plan Middle right: reinforcement between the openingBottom right: the position of the openings on the

concrete shellBottom left: “Chimney Effect”

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The concrete shell of O-14

PARAMETRIC MODELLING

Parametricism is the finally answer of architectural design after 25 years of stylistic searching, ac-cording to Patrik Schumacher, do you agree? He suggested that parametricism implies “all archi-tectural elements and complexes are parametri-cally malleable.”15 The geometry of parametricism is changed from rigid figures such as retangles, cubes and cylinders to a dynamic form like ‘hair’, ‘cloth’ and ‘blobs’. Those dynamic forms are able to react with ‘attractors’ in the program when de-signer vary the scripts. He also proposed that the principle of parametricism is to avoid rigid form, simply repetition, collage of unrelated elements, rigid functional stereotyes and segregative func-tional zoning. Yet the parametric design should generate soft form, differentiate systems with cor-relations and be able to communicate with each other.16

However, some scholars disagree with his idea and claimed that the parametricism is not the main-stream of architectural style. Adam Nathaniel May-er argued that parametric design is only designed for wealthy developers who are looking for public unconventional buildings. They wanted to create some eye catching building with new and complex structure which sometimes ignored the surround-ed context. Usually, after the initial shock, people may find the parametric skin of the architecture is hideous and not user-friendly. He added, even people have the software and skill in parametric and digital design, it does not mean that they can build anything in the free form. As an architect, we have to consider the urban context, scale, propor-tion and users so that the building will not disturb the current site and inerupt the harmonious of the cities, building everything in parametricism is not necessary.17

Furthermore, we have to aware that parametric design is not the only design method in the cur-rent world. Architects such as Peter Zumthor, Tad-ao Ando, Kengo Kuma and David Chipperfield are called the minimalist which design formal building enriched with materiality and spatial experience. These are another way of design which the build-ings are respond to context and not simply follow what the software drives you. Moreover, I am not disagree the design of para-metricism, I think with the aid of computer software, architect can explore more complex and interest-ing form and structures which diverse the style of architectures.

Critique the use of parametric modelling in the architectural design process.Advangage Vs Disadvantage

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International Terminal WaterlooArchitect: Nicholas Grimshaw and PartnerLocation: London, UKCompletion: 1993

Nicholas Grimshaw was commis-sioned to renew and extend one of the most siginificant international railway station in London, the Inter-national Terminal Waterloo. The brief of this building is to build a ‘stream-lined terminal’ where passengers could pass with minimal disturbance with maxium speed . Since it is ter-minal is to provide international ser-vices, full security, immigration and customs border control have to be placed with a constrained London site. The allocated site, adjacent to the existing national rail station, was only wide enough to accommodate the necessary five tracks. Limitation such as love electric rails on one side and shallow London Underground tunnels beneath, the challenge of building a streamlined structure was risen.18

This building was built in 1993, by the time parametric design was still relative new. However, it is a good ex-ample for how architects used the aid of digital software to design a para-metric roof form. The 400m long roof with asymmetric shape in the acute

profile was designed to show the expression of flow as a new way of transportation. On eastern side, the roof rises up progressively to fit the height of the trains with a glass clad-ding.19

In tems of its structure, the roof con-sists of pairs of three-pinned bow strings arches; the central point lo-cated off the center towards one of the sides to allow a bow shaoe in the higher area from West to East. The roof covers an area reduces from 50m at the entrance to 35m at the end. Furthermore, glass tiles of dif-ferent sizes are overlapping on the flexible roof which can shrink and ex-pand according to different spins of the roof.20

What parametric design is used in this building?

In this early designed parametric roof form, architects set two dissimilar curved with trusses, where the larger one stretched in the inner side and the smaller curved strectched from the top to the bottom. The 35 modules of structural beams vary in dimensions.

In terms of digital modelling, ar-chitects used I_EMS which usually used to design ships and automoble and Microstation Generative Com-ponents for digital modelling. The trusses of the roof can be modified according to the proportional scale factor by the program. However, base on the script, the width of the structure is changable but maintain the central profile.21

Top right: over view of the stationBottom right: Structure of the parametric roof

Bottom left: section of the roof

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PARAMETRIC MODELLING

Top: Interior of the roof structure

Bottom: Glass glazing of the roof

Top: Overview of the stadium

Bottom: parametric roof structure

Aviva StadiumArchitect: Populous ArchitectsLocation: Dublin, IrelandCompletion: 2010

This parametric approach of the Aviva Stadium made use of a centralized method of coordi-nating communication in order to deliver high quality results on budget on time. This example also showed that the “design conversation” can take place between parties involved and to form a better building.

The Avia Stadium has been used commercially available parametric modelling software from beginning to end. In this project, architects and engineers were shared a single digital model in a digital software, Bentley’s GenerativeCompo-nents (GC), in order to optumize the form of de-sign, structure and facade. The succeed of this project showed to the public that with paramet-ric moedl, the interdisciplinary communication can help different parties of the project to work effieciently.22

The geometric definition of the Aviva Stadium was fur-ther fragmented in to a set of control devices which pro-vided the architectural team information to its design department and also to client and local planner.23

Meanwhile, the same model was shared to the structural engineering team to figure out the structural compo-nent of the roof. With the same sourse of digital model, it speed up the whole design process as changes can be assessed quickly by the engineers.

One of the advantage of parametric design is we can pro-duce varies of models within a set of parameter then pick the best one among all. In this case, the arhitects are able to fine-tune the geometry as parametric modelling pro-vide visual optimization.

Besides, the use of parametric platforms allowed design to be tested an driven to a high level of detail from which each subcontractor could work independently.

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Left: Variation of the Parametric form of the rooTop right: Fine tone of the fillet of the roof

Bottom right: Workflow of the project

ALGORITHMIC THINKINGBy exploring the Grasshopper 3d, a graphical al-gorithm editor, in Rhino 3D, we can easily gen-erate parametric designs. As Grasshopper is an algorithmic-based program, every components can be broken down into scientific and math-ematic explanation. Therefore, we will know the limit of the design but analysis the scripts.

The algorithmic sketches on the left page were a demonstrate of making a basket like structure. By building up simple curves structures and two guidline for the pipeline, Basket-like structure will be formed. We can also change the input from the algorithem in order to get varies of structures based on the same parameter.

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CONCLUSION

In the section of Expression of Interest, we are asked to argue the topics of Architecture as discourse, Computation in Architecture and Parametric mod-elling. As mentioned above, architecture as a discourse as a communication

system but not an art due to the restriction of architects. In reality, client have to right to make the decision since they are the true owner of the building.

However, architects are very important because they have to strike the balance between client’s requirements, urban contexts, users and a lot of other ele-

ments in the building industry, they are the media of communication.

In terms of computation in architecture, due to the rise of hi-tech digital software and computer-aid calculation, the efficiency of design increased and at the same time more innovative forms and structures are brought to reality.

Things that we only appear in our imagination before comes true, for instance the Phaeno Science Centre by Zaha Hadid. With the aid of computer, architects

no longer a building designer but also a programmer. In the modern trend, architects not only have to be able to use digital design tools but also develop their own tools which helps in their design such as the Herzeg de Meuron and

Foster + Partners, they have their own digital technology group to develop digital tools.

Last but not least, as an architecture student, I hope designers will not over-rely on computation. They have to know that, they are the one that control comptuter but not being driven by the computer. They have to achieve the

cooporation between rational and creative abilities.

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LEARNING OUTCOMES

Computer is your design tools or your brain? After doing research in the pass few weeks, I think computer is a tool which can achieve innovative ideas. It is no doubt that with the

help of computer, architects and designers can work faster and while computation in design process, innovative designs always come out.

However, we have to be aware that our cre-ativities are not limited by computation. The

different between Human and computer is human being is capable to think while com-

puter cannot. As a result, the mind of designers should not be driven by digital software but

rather make good use of its ability to optimise the design.

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REFERENCESAlvarado, R G., Munoz, J J., 2012, The control of shape: origins of parametric design in architecture in Xenakis, Gehry and Grimshaw, METU.JFA

Architectural Design, Computation Works- The Building of Algorithmic Thought, ed. John Wiley and Sons Ltd., Issue 2, Vol 83 2013

Arcspace.com, ‘Phaeno Science Center’, (http://www.arcspace.com/features/zaha-hadid-architects/phaeno-science-center-/) [2013, April 2]

Kalay, Y., 2004, Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Compute-Aided Design, MIT Press, Cambridge, pp. 5-24

Kolarevic, Branko, Architecture in the Digital Age: Design and Manufacturing (New York; London: Spon Press, 2003), pp. 3 - 28

Mayer, A N., ‘Style and the Pretense of ‘Parametric’ Architecture’. (http://adamnathanielmayer.blogspot.com/2010/06/style-and-pretense-of-parametric.html) [2013, April 2]

Nicolai Ouroussoff, ‘Science Center Celebrates an Industrial Cityscape’, The New York Times, 28th No-vember, 2005

Roly Hudson, Paul Shepherd and David Hines, ‘Aviva Stadium:A case study in integrated parametric design’, international journal of architectural computing, issue 02, Vol 09, 2011

Reiser, J., Umemoto, N. & Ocampo, J., Case Study: O-14 Folded Exoskeleton, CTBUH Journal, Issue 3, 2010

Schumacher, P., 2010, Patrik Schumacher on parametricis m - ‘Let the style wars begin’ [Online]. (http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/the-critics/patrik-schumacher-on-parametricism-let-the-style-wars-be-gin/5217211.article) [2013, April 3]

Williams, Richard, ‘Architecture and Visual Culture’, in Exploring Visual Culture: Definitions, Concepts and Contexts, ed. Matthew Rampley [Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2005], p. 102-116

Reiser, J., Umemoto, N. & Ocampo, J., Case Study: O-14 Folded Exoskeleton, CTBUH Journal, Issue 3, November, 2010